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Topic: ARSENAL FORWARD (Read 600558 times)

Regardless what happens this year will be Arsenal's lowest placing in the League since Wenger took over. Amazing record when you really think about it. Since he came to Arsenal the lowest he finished was second. On another front I hope ManU give Chelsea a run, but Chelsea seems to win even when theynot playing well, too many weapons.

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has been voted off the Football Association board by the Premier League. Dein was voted out of office as one of the Premier League's four representatives in favour of Manchester United chief executive David Gill.

That in turn forced the FA to respond that Wenger stated categorically he did not want the job when approached by FA chief executive Brian Barwick.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also claimed Dein's FA ties provided an unbalanced fixture list, with Arsenal having five Premiership games at home immediately following Champions League trips, while Chelsea played five away.

Gill, 48, is as influential at Old Trafford as Dein is at Arsena.

As a vice-chairman of the elite G14 group and an FA council member, Gill has extensive experience of football administration beyond Old Trafford.

Gill will now work with the Premier League's other representatives; Dave Richards, Phil Gartside and Robert Coar, in promoting the league's interests on the FA board.

However, Dein will sit alongside Richards, Gartside and Gill on the less influential FA Council.

LONDON (AFP) - England full-back Ashley Cole has admitted that Arsenal's love for star striker Thierry Henry contributed to his decision to leave the club for Premiership champions Chelsea.

Cole said that while the club and its fans did everything to make sure Henry stayed at Highbury, he felt like the "invisible man".

The 25-year-old left-back also revealed how he 'haggled' over 5,000 pounds (9,300 dollars) after Arsenal had dropped from their original weekly salary offer, and had his loyalty questioned by the club's backroom staff.

However, in an extract from his book serialised in The Times, the difference in how he was treated compared to Henry appeared to be one of the main reasons for him to seek a transfer.

"The club made Thierry feel wanted and special, wooing him, wining and dining him, speaking in public about how much they want him to stay, going on a deliberate charm offensive," said Cole.

"But me? I didn't have one dinner, one meeting or one phone call from anyone. That's not sour grapes, it's just a sad truth. The truth is that the Gunners had done nothing all season to hold on to me."

He added: "My worst fears were confirmed when, as Thierry and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence.

"As his chants faded away we waited for mine. And we waited. And there was nothing. 'They're not bothered about me', I said, resigned to the fact. It was like I was the invisible man."

Cole was offered a new 60,000 pounds (112,000 dollars) a week deal in 2004 but when negotiations opened, the figure had dropped by 5,000 pounds, with the defender adding: "At a board meeting held two days before our 1-0 away defeat at Bolton in January, it was decided the maximum offer should be 55,000 pounds a week.

"I don't believe the board gave a damn about keeping me. It preferred to haggle over a difference of 5,000."

Cole's relationship with the club deteriorated to the point of fitness coach Tony Colbert questioned whether he was telling the truth about a thigh injury.

He added: "That's when he said it, 'what do you expect me to do, Ash, when you tell me you're okay and then come in here like you've just been shot? Be honest with me, are you just making out that it's worse than it actually is because you've got an eye on the World Cup?'

"That was it. I blew my lid. 'What!' I shouted, barely able to keep a lid on it, 'I need to play for Arsenal to go to the World Cup, so why would I hold back? The more I hold back, the less chance I've got of going to Germany! And you are insulting me'.

"For me it was one more person at the club doubting my loyalty. And it was the final straw."

October 19, 2006LONDON (Ticker) - Cesc Fabregas has signed his new eight-year contract with Arsenal.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed last month the 19-year-old Spain midfielder was set to agree to a new deal to keep him at the north London club until 2014.

Fabregas, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona three years ago, had been linked with a move to Real Madrid but had stated his intention to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

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"I am so happy here and I am delighted to have signed this new contract that will keep me at the club for years to come," Fabregas told the club's official web site. "I wanted to pay back the club, especially Arsene Wenger, for the support and faith he has shown in me.

"What is important now is for the team to realize its potential and win trophies. That is our main aim, that is my aim as well."

Fabregas' agent, Joseba Diaz, had earlier told Spanish web site sport.es that the midfielder had put pen to paper.

"It is a fabulous contract for the player and also for the club," Diaz said. "Cesc feels very happy with how much Arsenal value him and in the knowledge that Arsenal are going to build their future around him."

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Boca Juniors suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat by San Lorenzo in the Argentine Clausura championship and their great rivals River Plate lost 2-1 to modest Argentinos Juniors on Sunday.

Humble Arsenal took full advantage by beating Velez Sarsfield 3-1 to go top with maximum points from their four games.

San Lorenzo, thumped 7-1 at home by Boca Juniors in their last meeting, stunned the Bombonera stadium when Diego Rivero broke down the right and crossed for Ezequiel Lavezzi to head in a goal after 23 minutes.

Boca playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who had an otherwise quiet game, hit the crossbar with a free kick before half-time but his side were in more trouble when Clemente Rodriguez was sent off four minutes into the second half.

Gaston Fernandez fired the second in the 66th minute and Andres Silvera rifled in the third from 12 metres five minutes later.

"The way we played was marvelous," San Lorenzo coach Ramon Diaz told reporters.

San Lorenzo, with 10 points from four games, moved up to second and Boca, with seven points, dropped to seventh.

River, who went into their match with three wins in three games, looked set to maintain their record when Marco Ruben fired through the legs of goalkeeper Marcelo Pontiroli in the 18th minute.

But Sebastian Carrera headed Argentinos level eight minutes later and Gabriel Hauche fired the winner eight minutes into the second half after the River defense failed to clear.Floodlight failure

Shortly afterwards, play was delayed for nearly half an hour by a floodlight failure.

Second-half goals from Lucas Valdemarin and Carlos Castiglione gave Arsenal victory over Velez. The teams were level at halftime after Pablo Sebastian Garnier gave Arsenal an early lead and Mariano Uglessich levelled three minutes before the break.

when arsenal win things next season doh play yuh wasn't crying us down during summer!

allez! allez! wenger!

Let me make sure and quote this post, because I am sure we will return to this thread many times during the season after another gunner loss,and i dont want nobody editing the words they will then have to swallow.

The inspirational midfielder has spent two seasons in Turkey after moving from Italian side Juventus and had made it clear that he is looking forward to move to England's Premiership this summer.

English Premiership club West Ham United are believed to have led the chase for Appiah but latest reports have now linked the 26-year-old to the Gunners.

The player himself showed interest in the West Ham deal and had told The Sun: “I am very angry about stories saying I want to stay at Fenerbahce indefinitely.

"West Ham have expressed strong interest in me and I think Fenerbahce will have to listen to their offer.

"It is my ambition to play in the Premier League.”

Arsenal are now tipped to win a race with both West Ham and German club Schalke for the Ghanaian.

A friend of the player is quoted in the News of the World as saying: “Arsenal are aware they will have to pay £6million - £8million for Stephen. That price was talked about last January with Arsenal and it really won’t be an issue.”Appiah will bring back some steel to that defensive midfiled since losing Viera.btw Lundberg to Westham.

and the midfield have to chip in with about 10 goals from the 4-5 men running the show.

All big teams with any sort of title ambition have the above.

I still find we need a good goalkeeper and a good central defensive midfielder with steel to cover Gilberto Silva.

We have the pretty beat and flick men.

Adebayor have to learn the art of scoring goals and Van persie have a real task ahead of him.

We need to buy a Big fwd and a Big defensive midfielder.

But once Wenger is there...we have plenty hope.

Plenty men memory short. They forget that Arsenal youth team reach the League Cup final without the help of senior team players.

Touches, Diaby providing that steel that we lost when Viera left.

Van Persie is going to have a monster season.

Denilson (the U-23 Brazilian center midfielder) played well last year and will step up.

Hleb is now fully acclimatised to the English league so look for big things from him too.

Has Rosicky even started to show what he can do? Watch this space.

Wenger signed the Polish keeper Lucasz Fabianski. If anyone knows talent it is Arsegne. Lehmann has one more good year left in him.

With all that being said.....

We need a central defender in the worst way. THAT is what I am concerned about.

Arsenal will challenge for honors this season as always. Look for a top 3 league finish.

I would like to presribe a dose of reality.....

-------------------------------------The only proven star player left on that side now is Fabregas. You need stars to win you trophies.

A good defense is always more important than a potent attack. Central defense of Gallas and Toure are a good pairing, but the cover is poor. Senderos and Djorou hardly inspire confidence, and in a long 60+ game season, good cover is needed in these key positions.

Arsenal is making no solid investment in the team geared at pushing for the league title, whilst all other teams are strengthening their teams. Gallas and all done start griping already.

This is Lehmann fall off year since he really eh have nothing to play for this year. He old plus international career over. Look out for some howlers early in de season before Fabianski step in.

The club is in disarray. The board dont know if they selling the team. Wenger won't commit and still sour over the David Dein issue. The franchise player Henry buss out. All in all, it ent no feel-good factor around Highbury these days.

Wenger doesn't understand the value of experience in a squad, hence his 1 yr contract after 30 policy.. Looks like Ljungberg out de door next once again devoiding de side of maturity and experience..

Arsenal will be competing for 4th/5th place this year----------------------

Now I advise to take this dose twice daily with meals to prevent recurrence of hallucinations about pushing for any titles this year. Take as advised and see me again next May.

The Appiah rumor was around before the start of last season too. And reports are claiming that Appiah has turned down other moves because he wants to move to Arsenal in particular.

I agree with Jahyouth that central defense is Arsenal's weak area. End of last season they were even using Gilberto as a center back. IMO, Senderos and Djourou are not quality enough cover. Reports say that Sagna can play across the back line (dont know enough about him to comment), so maybe thats an option since Arsenal already has Eboue, Hoyte and Gilbert in the right back position.

LONDON (AP) - West Ham signed Fredrik Ljungberg from Arsenal on Monday, ending the Sweden captain's nine-year stay in north London.

The 30-year-old midfielder had been Arsenal's longest-serving player, scoring 72 goals in 328 games, but started just 16 Premier League matches last season because of injury.

The Hammers agreed to pay a fee that could rise to as much as 3 million pounds (US$6.2 million; €4.7 million), with Ljungberg signing a four-year contract.

Ljungberg becomes the second high-profile player to leave the Gunners since the end of last season, following Thierry Henry, and becomes West Ham's fifth acquisition since it narrowly avoided demotion from the Premier League.

"Two years ago when I signed my last contract, we talked a lot about the future," Ljungberg said. "We talked about buying top players ... but that never really happened.

"When Thierry left this summer, it felt a little bit like the end."

West Ham has signed Craig Bellamy, Scott Parker, Julien Faubert and Richard Wright for close to 20 million pounds (US$41.2 million; €29.8 million) since it beat Manchester United on the last day of the season to secure its topflight place.

Ljungberg joined Arsenal in September 1998 from Swedish club Halmstad for 3 million pounds (US$6.2 million; €4.7 million) and scored on his debut as a substitute against Manchester United.

He twice won the Premier League and won three FA Cups with the Gunners.

"I'd been there nine years, almost 10 years," Ljungberg said. "It's a big thing for me, but I want to go forward."

when arsenal win things next season doh play yuh wasn't crying us down during summer!

allez! allez! wenger!

Let me make sure and quote this post, because I am sure we will return to this thread many times during the season after another gunner loss,and i dont want nobody editing the words they will then have to swallow.